A migrant is someone who moves from one place to another.
An immigrant is someone who moves from their home country to another country.
A refugee is someone forced to flee their home country to find safety in another country.
An asylum seeker is someone forced to flee their home country but who hasn’t yet been recognized as a refugee.
An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone forced to flee for safety but who stays within their home country.
An estimated 304 million people have moved out of their home countries. While some moved by choice, others were forced. Recent estimates show that 35.6 million people are refugees, 9 million are asylum seekers and 68.7 million are internally displaced.
But what do these terms mean? How are they similar and different? Let’s break down each definition together.
What Is a Migrant?
A migrant is someone who moves from one place to another. For example, a migrant might move from their home community to another within their country. Or they might move across borders to another country. Many migrants will move permanently, and others will do so temporarily — some even by force.
You can think of the term “migrant” as sort of like an umbrella, describing anyone who moves from place to place. Under this umbrella are different types of migrants, from immigrants to internally displaced persons (IDPs), which we’ll talk about next.
What Is an Immigrant?
An immigrant is someone who moves from one country, typically their home country, to another country. Most of the time, this move is permanent. Many reasons can inspire immigrants to move, from educational and work opportunities to joining relatives who have already relocated.
It’s important to know that immigrants are choosing to move — they’re not being forced to flee danger or persecution. And once they relocate, many immigrants choose to become citizens of the country they now call home.
What Is a Refugee?
Unlike an immigrant, a refugee is forced to flee their home country to find refuge in another country. Refugees may be fleeing war, violence or persecution based on their race, religion or ethnicity.
Refugees must cross international borders to seek safety, and they can’t return home because of the danger. Those seeking safety who become legally recognized as refugees by the government in the country they’re seeking refuge in have rights under both international and domestic laws.
What Is an Asylum Seeker?
An asylum seeker (also known as an asylee) is someone who has fled their home country to seek safety, but who has yet to be legally recognized as a refugee by the host country’s government. Asylum seekers apply for protection once they arrive at or cross an international border.
What does the word “asylum” mean? According to Merriam-Webster, “asylum” simply means “a place of retreat and security.”
What Is an Internally Displaced Person (IDP)?
An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone forced to flee their home because of war, persecution or natural disaster but who stays within their home country.
While all refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons are vulnerable, those internally displaced are especially so.
Because they remain in their home countries, they fall under the legal jurisdiction of their own governments. If those governments are a source of conflict or persecution, these individuals lack the critical protection that international refugees could receive from a different government.
Some internally displaced people may not even be able to flee danger entirely. For example, some may have nowhere else to go but active conflict zones or areas decimated by earthquakes or other disasters. And they often lack necessities like food or safe water.
God’s Heart for People on the Move Around the World
Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that he cares deeply for those on the move. In the Bible, he refers to them as the foreigner, sojourner (someone who stays in a foreign place temporarily) and stranger.
God knows these individuals are vulnerable. They’re living in unfamiliar areas as outsiders to the culture, often fleeing dangerous circumstances, and having to build new lives without support systems. So, when God instructed us to care for and defend those without protection — like the poor or widows and orphans — he included instructions to care for the foreigner too.
In Leviticus 19:9-10, he commanded the Israelites to leave the harvest at the edges of their fields so those in poverty and the foreigner could harvest something to eat. In Psalm 146:9, the once exiled King David declares that God watches over the foreigner. And in Matthew 25:35, Jesus tells us that by welcoming a stranger, we welcome him.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” — Matthew 25:35, NIV
God’s love is unconditional; it knows no bounds. Regardless of who we are, what language we speak, the color of our skin, what’s in our wallets, what we’ve done, where we came from or where we’re going, he cares for and loves us.
As followers of Jesus, we’re called to love our neighbors (especially the vulnerable ones) the exact same way: without limits and beyond borders. After all, we tooare sojourners here on earth as we await our eternal home.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. — Philippians 3:20, NIV
Compassion’s Heart for Our Neighbors
As a Christ-centered ministry, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps to love and care for those living in poverty around the world. And that often includes caring for those who have been displaced.
Compassion serves children and families in countries like Uganda, where many displaced people are seeking refuge. We provide critical care for their immediate needs, such as food and safe water, while also ensuring they have what they need to build brighter futures, like education and income generation opportunities.
As we serve, we share the hope we have Jesus, pointing children and their families to the One who never leaves their side.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9, NIV
We hope this guide has helped you understand the differences between migrants, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and those internally displaced. But most importantly, we hope you see God’s heart for you and for all.